Tony's Keezer Build

[Bean]

Awesome Build! The drip tray is a great touch too, where did you find one with the washer on the side?

 

[Toneus]

Awesome Build! The drip tray is an great touch too, where did you find one with the washer on the side?

I bought it from Beverage Time. They have several lengths from 8" up, i bought the 30". The materials and product quality are top notch.

I recommend this product.

Tony

PS - When I was searching for the tray, I searched Google Images instead of the Web results. Often you will find the product by its picture easier than a straight search. Basically going in the back door.

 

[rockinmarty]

Let's bump this thread. Any more progress

 

[Toneus]

Let's bump this thread. Any more progress

Thanks for trying to Pimp the thread. The progress has been a little slow recently, but there are a couple of new things. 6 taps are now operational, one dedicated to soda water. That has been really nice throughout the summer to have for those midday flavored waters.

After having the keezer in the main basement area, I decided that it was indeed a massive piece of furniture and would be better suited in a dedicated brew/bar area. I had to trim down the depth of the top to fit through a doorway, but I now have the Keezer in the basement storage room that is quickly becoming my new brewroom. I'm not yet burning flame in the new brewroom, but I have all of my supplies in there including my fermenter. I've also moved the basement fridge into the same room since it holds my bottled beer, commercial beer, hops, and cleaned yeasts.

The items that have me hung up at this point are some design decsions.

- Final mounting of the Love Controller (but I think I'm going with the top side mount). This was the origional position I chose/cut for.
- Tthe electrical box and wire runs. Thinking back surface of coffin.
- A CO2 tank inside or out decision
- Framework for the hinges. I really don't want to over build the inner framework so I'm really chewing hard on this one.

It seems like a lot of indecsion, but it's really more of lessons learned along the way. So hang in there, the project won't die. It's just in an extended design phase, yet operational.

Cheers!

Tony

 

[rockinmarty]

no extra pics
Nice to read what the progress was.
Cheers

 

[insp79]

Very nice build! I like the glass washer. Are you going to install tile to the top?

 

[Toneus]

Well your questions and pings have kicked me back into gear, thanks for that.

I mentioned recently that I'm going through some what I've learned and how I can redesign. One of the things I have found myself fighting is tubing and CO2. Origionally, my approach was to keep my CO2 tank inside of the Keezer. With that comes plusses and minuses. On the plus side, the tank is out of sight and CO2 supply lines are all inside. Those two might be the only positive items. Things I've learned or rememberd...
- A tank takes up valuable space inside the Keezer.
- Presure of a cold take reads low, almost useless readings.
- Turning off a line requires the Keezer to be opened.
- A tank out of sight is easy to loose track of how much gas you have left.
- Adjusting a regulator or turning on/off a line requires the lid to be opened. Opening the lid introduces moisture which leads to condensation.
- Lines becoming a web of knots.

I've now switched to a Tank outside approach because I think that this is a better design. Take notice of the single loose line coming off the left and read below. :cross:



Recently, our city has had a couple of Growler Bars pop up. I've been buying a growler here and there for later enjoyment. As many know a Growler has a very short shelf life, especially after it's been opened. I can't say for sure, but I've yet to see one, so I'll call this a Keezer First! I've added a growler top off line directly to my CO2 system. This little baby does exactly what I want it to. I was looking for ways to represure a growler. I don't know if repreasure is the right word because they really aren't on preasure as soon as they are drafted. I came across a YT video where a tire valve can be added to a cap to repreasure a growler. This will help for not only growlers I buy, but my own homebrew that I take with me. I like having it tied into my CO2 system because the preasure is already regulated.



It is as simple as buying the valve from a local auto parts store, drilling a hole, and screwing it together. The valve is a threaded valve, not a normal rubber pull though type. You can watch the video below and make one yourself.





Thanks for pushing for updates, more coming soon.

Tony

 

[fxdrider]

THAT....is a great idea!

 

[Medevac_Chief]

that....is a great idea!

agreed!!

 

[rekoob]

Okay, I'm interested... Subscribed.

 

[fergusmj]

subscribed as well!

 

[TuttleCreekBrewing]

That growler pressurizer attachment is pure genius! Seriously man, great job!

Are you planning to mount the CO2 tank anywhere on the keezer? I had considered going with an external tank on mine, but I couldn't come up with a way to mount it that doesn't look like a fire extinguisher hanging off the side!

 

[Toneus]

Are you planning to mount the CO2 tank anywhere on the keezer? I had considered going with an external tank on mine, but I couldn't come up with a way to mount it that doesn't look like a fire extinguisher hanging off the side!

That is a to be designed item. It's larger than I can hide behind and still be close to the wall. Now using an actual fire extinguisher cabinet might be cool.

 

[TuttleCreekBrewing]

That is a to be designed item. It's larger than I can hide behind and still be close to the wall. Now using an actual fire extinguisher cabinet might be cool.

Next someone will just mount their taps in a fire extinguisher cabinet....

In case of emergency, HAVE A HOMEBREW!!!

 

[yoshiie]

Wow, great ideas all around on this build! looking forward to see how it turns out!

 

[meis1212]

Any updates on this?

 

[Daviespob]

Subb'd excited to hear any new updates.

 

[juic]

What height off the top did you put your taps?

 

[Carlscan26]

What height off the top did you put your taps?

I centered mine in my 2X8 collar. For me this out the basic black tap handles just below the top of the keezer

 

[srroos]

Loving the idea of the growler pressurizer and soda water tap!

 

[anonymousbrew]

subby dub dub

 

[juic]

So taps center of the 2x8 but to that hole how far from the bar top?

 

[Toneus]

What height off the top did you put your taps?

Juic,

Here are three measurements for you...

From wooden top (yet to add tile) to tap centerline 13 3/16"

From Drip Tray to tap centerline 12 5/16"

From Drip Tray to faucet bottom 10 3/4". This is where I feel a pitcher needs to be able to fit, which it does comfortably.
​

The only thing that I draft into that doesn't fit under the taps is a growler, but you would never draft into one of those sitting flat on the drip tray. I use the growler filler hose attachment for this.

Also, the front tap board is partial and will be covered by a 6" tall fascia board. This leaves room for accent lighting. Which Costco is selling! What are the odds. Maybe installing the lighting will be my next update.

Cheers!

The tap spacing post (#11) back a few pages here.

 

[juic]

Right on your the man. thanks:rockin:

 

[mforsman]

You did it right! This is a great build.

 

[huntb]

Bumping an old thread. How is this bar coming along? Really awesome ideas in this build!

 

[bmw7628]

Awesome build!!!

 

[ocluke]

Since this is a stand alone Keezer, I'm using a preasurized Corney Keg for my water supply. The Rinser documentation mentions that a standard water line can be used (~30psi), in reality it works great being pushed by a 14psi line. I'm very impressed with the spray pattern, and the flow rate. I expect that at 30psi the orafice size and viscosity of water would simply reduce the flow rate near to what I'm getting. Again, it is quite adiquate.

View attachment 64608

Have you found that as the water sits on pressure and fully carbonates that the carbonated water coming out still rinses/sprays well?

 

[Toneus]

Have you found that as the water sits on pressure and fully carbonates that the carbonated water coming out still rinses/sprays well?

Yes, I'm very happy with both the rinser and carbonated water on tap. I don't run either it at any different pressure (~11psi @ 37F = ~2.5Vols) than my kegs.They both run off the same corny and I use a simple tee to split them. The rinser has plenty of spray and does exactly what is expected. If you would like to see a short video of the setup, let me know.

Tony

 

[ocluke]

Yes, I'm very happy with both the rinser and carbonated water on tap. I don't run either it at any different pressure (~11psi @ 37F = ~2.5Vols) than my kegs.They both run off the same corny and I use a simple tee to split them. The rinser has plenty of spray and does exactly what is expected. If you would like to see a short video of the setup, let me know.

Tony

Yeah, a video would be great if it's not too much trouble. If I was okay with 1 less beer on tap, I'd be all over this, but I may still find a way to incorporate a rinser outside of my keezer... or do the more obvious thing and build a bigger keezer!